Frustration leads to suffering.
Acceptance leads to peace.
Existentially.
Let me break that down.
I used to get really frustrated when I had migraines. Sometimes, I still do. I'm human. That frustration at having the migraines led to the suffering from the pain.
You can be in pain and not suffer.
I have been in pain and not suffered.
The secret, not-so-secret-secret, is to not resist the pain and therefore not get frustrated and just radically accept that yes, there is going to be pain, now how am I going to deal with it?
Am I going to rest, and let my body have a break?
Am I going to take some medication to assist my body in getting through the time?
Am I going to use ice or heat to reduce the pain?
All of those things require acknowledging that I am in pain an accepting that it is happening.
Pushing through the pain, creating more pain, and making things worse leads to frustration.
Frustration from not being able to do what I want when I want.
Frustration from my body being not as strong as I want in the moment.
Frustration from not accepting life as it is.
That's the simple definition of radical acceptance.
I'm human, so it's a continual lesson. I do learn it again when frustration sneaks in.
Acceptance is self-care.
